Fireball MTG Card


Fireball offers card advantage by eliminating multiple targets with a single casting, strengthening board presence. Its mana scalability increases impact over time, allowing for considerable damage as resources grow. While sorcery-speed limits reactiveness, strategic play can grant significant control over the game.
Card setsReleased in 40 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Fireball does X damage total, divided evenly (round down) among any number of targets. Pay 1 extra mana for each target beyond the first.


Cards like Fireball

Fireball, a spell of destruction well-known among MTG players, holds particularity in the roster of burn spells due to its customisable damage output and target flexibility. As a comparison, the card Disintegrate also delivers significant direct damage, but it holds the perk of not allowing regeneration, something Fireball lacks.

Flame Rift and Earthquake share defining aspects with Fireball. Both cards offer similar damage scales with multiple target options. However, Flame Rift lacks adjustability in damage assignment, and Earthquake, while impacting all players and flying creatures, could lead to your own loss if not used judiciously. Chain Lightning is another worthy mention here, dealing damage not just to one target, but also providing an opportunity for retaliatory counter damage.

On a comparative note, while Fireball possesses a scalability dependent on mana investment, it distinctly shines because of its potential for multiple target assignment, making it a lethal weapon in any player’s arsenal. Its value undeniably places it as a unique card in MTG, due to its damaging potential and multi-target strategy.

Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Flame Rift - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Chain Lightning - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Flame Rift - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Chain Lightning - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fireball by color, type and mana cost

Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Goblin Grenade - MTG Card versions
Mana Clash - MTG Card versions
Winds of Change - MTG Card versions
Detonate - MTG Card versions
Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions
Tremor - MTG Card versions
Seething Anger - MTG Card versions
Blaze - MTG Card versions
Gamble - MTG Card versions
Meltdown - MTG Card versions
Landslide - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Fire - MTG Card versions
Tahngarth's Glare - MTG Card versions
Lava Burst - MTG Card versions
Overmaster - MTG Card versions
Devil's Play - MTG Card versions
Firebolt - MTG Card versions
Mishra's Command - MTG Card versions
Earthquake - MTG Card versions
Disintegrate - MTG Card versions
Goblin Grenade - MTG Card versions
Mana Clash - MTG Card versions
Winds of Change - MTG Card versions
Detonate - MTG Card versions
Meteor Shower - MTG Card versions
Tremor - MTG Card versions
Seething Anger - MTG Card versions
Blaze - MTG Card versions
Gamble - MTG Card versions
Meltdown - MTG Card versions
Landslide - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Fire - MTG Card versions
Tahngarth's Glare - MTG Card versions
Lava Burst - MTG Card versions
Overmaster - MTG Card versions
Devil's Play - MTG Card versions
Firebolt - MTG Card versions
Mishra's Command - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fireball mtg gives the player the opportunity to eliminate multiple targets using a single card. This makes Fireball a valuable tool for achieving card advantage, as it helps maintain a strong board presence against the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The dynamic nature of Fireball’s mana cost allows for resource acceleration. As the game progresses, Fireball becomes even more impactful as it can accommodate larger amounts of mana, increasing the damage it can inflict.

Instant Speed: Fireball is a sorcery-speed spell, which means it can’t be used in response to other spells like instants. However, its versatility and power often compensate for this minor setback. The timing of when it is played can strategically manipulate the game, providing the user with more control over the board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Fireball is if it is employed with the X value set to zero, a counterintuitive strategy, you are required to discard a card. For players trying to optimize their resources, unavoidably parting with a card could be a significant disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The spell’s primary requirement for red mana restricts its use predominantly to decks that incorporate red. Therefore, this specific mana requirement might not cater to all MTG players’ needs or strategies. While versatility can be a strength, here it becomes restrictive.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the game’s dynamic, it’s important to note that Fireball’s effectiveness is proportional to the mana spent on it. Elementally, you would need an adequate mana pool to maximize its effect. In an unfavorable game progression, there might be other cards that could provide more cost-efficient solutions.


Reasons to Include Fireball in Your Collection

Versatility: Fireball is a classic spell that can be incorporated into multiple deck types. As it connects to both direct damage and variable mana cost, it is a flexible card suitable for many game situations.

Combo Potential: Though seemingly straightforward, Fireball carries significant combo potential. It pairs supremely well with cards increasing mana resources or doubling the damage, making it a card combo aspirant to leverage.

Meta-Relevance: In an MTG meta-game where direct damage spells are always in style, Fireball remains a timeless spell. Whether you play it to target an opponent or his creatures, this spell’s contribution to meta-relevance can’t be understated.


How to beat

The Fireball spell card is renowned for its brute force in Magic: The Gathering. This powerful magic, which deals x damage spread across any number of targets, has earned a reputation for its annihilating force. Fireball’s formidable control over the amount of damage and its allocation make it a significant card to counter.

Yet, Fireball has its limitations too. It comes at the cost of tapped mana, limiting the user’s other resources. Preventive strategies against Fireball drop into two main categories: Counter-magic and Life gain. Counter-magic cards like Cancel can neutralize Fireball, efficiently countering its destruction. Lifegain cards, on the other hand, boost you above the fatal Fireball blow, protecting your life total.

Another counter-strategy is using damage redirection or reduction. Protection-based cards such as Healing Salve or Deflecting Palm can either absorb or redirect the incoming Fireball damage respectively, giving you another chance to survive the onslaught.

In conclusion, Fireball may pack a punch, but apt strategies can help you dodge its fatal blow. It’s all about assessing your cards and employing a tactical response to Fireball’s threatening strength.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the fiery arcs of Fireball in MTG can shift the tide in any match. This powerhouse of destruction serves as a keystone in red decks, carving paths to victory through direct, adaptable damage. Delve deeper into strategies surrounding this sorcery to recognize its true potential in achieving card advantage, discovering combos, and maintaining meta-relevance. Enhance your MTG expertise with us as you explore the versatility of Fireball, learn to overcome its restrictions, and effectively incorporate it into your deck. Don’t let this spell’s power remain untapped; allow us to guide you through its mastery for an invincible board state.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fireball MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Fireball and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fireball Magic the Gathering card was released in 34 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1491993NormalBlackMark Tedin
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1501993NormalBlackMark Tedin
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1501993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1501993NormalBlackMark Tedin
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1501993NormalBlackMark Tedin
61994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1501993NormalBlackMark Tedin
71994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1501993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1501993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
91995-01-02Media InsertsPMEI 41993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1921993NormalBlackMark Tedin
111995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1921993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
121996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC mj1921993NormalGoldMark Tedin
131996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC et1921993NormalGoldMark Tedin
141996-05-02Pro Tour Collector SetPTC gb1921993NormalGoldMark Tedin
151996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 311993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
161996-08-02Arena League 1996PARL 71993NormalBlackJock
171996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 321993NormalWhiteMark Tedin
181997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2271997NormalWhiteMark Tedin
192000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 371997NormalWhiteMark Tedin
202002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 314852003NormalBlackMark Tedin
212002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 363211997NormalBlackJock
222004-02-06DarksteelDST 602003NormalBlackDave Dorman
232004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 mb602003NormalGoldDave Dorman
242005-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2005P05 32003NormalBlackMark Tedin
252008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 562003NormalBlackDave Dorman
262009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1362003NormalBlackDave Dorman
272010-06-18ArchenemyARC 372003NormalBlackDave Dorman
282010-07-16Magic 2011M11 1382003NormalBlackDave Dorman
292011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1151997NormalBlackMark Tedin
302011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1312003NormalBlackDave Dorman
312013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1062003NormalBlackDave Dorman
322014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 562015NormalBlackDave Dorman
332017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 1282015NormalBlackDave Dorman
342019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9262015NormalBlackDave Dorman
352020-09-26The ListPLST DD2-562003NormalBlackDave Dorman
362020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-1282015NormalBlackDave Dorman
372022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 1752015NormalBlackXavier Ribeiro
382022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3972015NormalBlackJustine Jones
392022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1452015NormalBlackMark Tedin
402022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4421997NormalBlackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fireball has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fireball card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-11-17 Fireball's damage is divided as Fireball resolves, not as it's cast, because there are no choices involved. The division involves only targets that are still legal as Fireball resolves.
2017-11-17 For example, if X is 5 and you choose three target creatures, Fireball has a total cost of (even though its mana cost is just and its mana value is 6). If those creatures are all still legal targets as Fireball resolves, it deals 1 damage to each of them.
2017-11-17 You can target more than X creatures. However, if the number of legal targets at the time Fireball resolves is greater than X, none of them will be dealt any damage.
2017-11-17 You may cast Fireball with zero targets, regardless of the value chosen for X. If you do so, it will not be a targeted spell, and no damage will actually be dealt when it resolves.